The Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida has garnered worldwide attention due to the devastating nature of the incident, as well as the social and legal implications and criticisms that followed. There has been a lot of speculation on whether George Zimmerman, the suspect in the Trayvon Martin shooting, will be charged with a crime, but, according to recent CNN news, George Zimmerman has in fact been charged with second-degree murder.

Once authorities said that he would be charged, Zimmerman turned himself in after being in hiding for his safety. He will be pleading not-guilty against second-degree murder charges. It is hoped that now that the process is moving forward, much of the anger and/or frustration caused by the case will recede. The intention to charge Zimmerman was announced 46 days after the shooting.

The process is still in its early stages as the prosecutor and defense attorneys have not yet even begun the jury selection process; however, if found guilty, Zimmerman faces a minimum of 25 years imprisonment as well as a $10,000 fine, which are the penalties established for second-degree murder as per Florida statute 782.04. Zimmerman’s defense lawyer expects that it will take at least six months and perhaps even up to one year before the trial begins, but this is speculation as he has not reviewed the evidence himself yet. He is replacing Zimmerman’s former defense attorney.

Murder charges are very serious and have the potential to jeopardize your entire future. If you have been charged with murder in Florida, the aggressive Florida murder defense lawyers at Musca Law can protect your legal rights. Call us today for a confidential consultation today at (800) 687-2252.

A 17-year-old Sarasota, Florida teen has been convicted of first-degree murder and faces a life sentence for the shooting deaths of two British tourists in their 20s, according to MSNBC. Because the offender is under 18-years-old, he is not eligible for the death penalty. The crime occurred on April 16, 2011.

Based on witness testimony and other evidence, it was determined that the two British tourists were vacationing in Sarasota and had gotten lost after an evening of drinking. They wandered into a housing project where the offender lived and it is there where they were murdered.

According to witnesses, the offender intended to rob the tourists, who insisted that they didn’t have money and begged to be allowed to go home; the tourists also said they were lost. The bodies of the tourists were shot several times, as the offender himself recounted to friends. According to authorities, the offender was not alone the night of the shooting; however, there is insufficient evidence to charge the second suspect, who is in prison for an unrelated charge.

If you have been charged with murder or any other violent crime in Florida, an aggressive Florida violent crimes defense attorney at Musca Law can help. We are committed to using our skills and resources towards building the strongest possible defense on your behalf and ensuring that you are treated fairly under the law. To speak to one of our lawyers about your particular situation, contact us today at (800) 687-2252 for a confidential consultation.

Jurors concluded on November 7, 2011 that Dr. Conrad Murray, former cardiologist for pop star Michael Jackson, was guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the drug overdose death of Jackson in 2009. According to The Los Angeles Times, jurors agreed with the prosecution that Murray had administered the fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol and his negligent actions in response to Jackson’s following cardiac arrest were a major factor in the singer’s death.

During the six-week trial, Murray’s defense made the case that Jackson wanted the drugs and gave himself the overdose, while the prosecution asserted that, even though Jackson wanted the drugs, Murray had administered the dose and was fully responsible for the welfare of his patient.

Murray now awaits sentencing on November 29 after being denied bail following his conviction. Under California law, Murray could be sentenced to a maximum of 4 years of prison time. Lawsuits from Jackson’s family and decisions regarding the cardiologist’s medical privileges are expected to move forward now that the trial has ended.

Involuntary manslaughter is defined as the unintentional but unlawful killing of another without the intention to kill caused by reckless or criminally negligent actions. This charge is subject to the least amount of penalties of all criminal charges that deal with the killing of another.

Being accused of the crime of killing another person, whether it is involuntary or voluntary manslaughter, second degree murder, or first degree murder, is a serious charge regardless of the state a person resides in. It is important for individuals facing violent crimes to be fully aware of their legal rights and options for defense. Those who have been charged with a crime in Florida should contact the Florida violent crime defense attorneys at Musca Law. Call our offices today for a complimentary consultation on your case at (800) 687-2252.

If you have recently been charged with a criminal offense, you should seek the counsel of a qualified Florida criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. That said, you definitely want to work with an experienced lawyer who understands the legal “ins” and “outs” of your particular situation, and as such, it is important that you seek an attorney who has handled these types of cases before.

Organize all Legal Documentation

After scheduling an initial meeting with a criminal defense lawyer, you should prepare yourself for the meeting ahead by gathering all relevant documents. Some of the items that you should take with you include a copy of the police report (if available), documents relating to your arrest, any documents related to court dates, bail papers, and related legal information. At this time, you should also consider making a list of the other possible suspects, victims, and witnesses involved in the case.

Prepare Comments and Questions

In order to ensure that you cover all points at your first meeting, you should write down the topics that you wish to discuss with your potential criminal defense lawyer. Do remember to also write down questions for the lawyer as well. Some questions to ask a criminal defense attorney during this meeting can include:

• How long have you been a criminal defense lawyer?
• What bar associations or other organizations do you belong to?
• How familiar are you with handling cases related to the charges that I face?
• How would you handle this case?
• How much time do you have to give to my case?
• What type of time-line do you expect for this case?
• How can I contact you when I have a question and when should I expect a reply?
• How do you charge for your services and what specifically is included?

Have you or someone you know been charged with a crime? Contact expert Florida defense lawyers here at Musca Law – you can reach us at 1-866-Musca-Law to arrange your completely free legal consultation.